I am assuming that this vehicle will be produced along side the Edge and MKX. Does anyone know where these vehicles are being produced? Hopefully CX-9 will not be built in a UAW plant, I think that was the Mazda6's downfall in terms of quality ratings, that and the duratec V6.

This is a great looking vehicle, probably get slightly better fuel economy than the CX-7 even though it is larger. Little concerned about buying one early in the model run though with an unproven engine and transmission.

I think the problem the the duratec V6 in the Mazda6 was due to them trying to push 221hp out of it. The larger displacement and valvetrain goodie of the new 3.5L V6 should make it a better and more reliable performer. Word is that it will make 270hp so I would bank on about the same gas mileage numbers as the CX-7 (maybe more on the highway), but CX-7 will have a bit better performance overall.

Ford is placing alot of trust in this new engine. It is the same overall dimensions as the previous 3.0L V6 so it can eventually replace it entirely. It is supposed to be 7% more fuel efficient as well.

Someone has posted a video on YouTube of a CX-9. It's a pretty bad quality video, but the vehicle does look nice as far as fit and finish from the side.

Nice catch!...It looks alot better with this silver color, I was kind of sick of looking at blue ones. Too bad we do not see the front end in this color with the chrome. My guess is that the mileage realistically comes in at 19/25, I hope they gear the 6sp for more fuel efficiency...in regards to features just read this over at Autoweek:"More iPodsGeneral Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. are teaming up with Apple Computers Inc. to enable people to link their iPods to vehicle audio systems on most 2007 models.The move, announced today, means that more than 70 percent of all 2007 model-year U.S. vehicles will be able to link with iPods, Apple said in a press release.The automakers will provide a cable that will link iPods with a vehicle's audio system. The link allows people to use the vehicle audio controls to choose songs on the iPod. The link also charges the iPod's battery.....Mazda's entire 2007 lineup, along with most other Ford vehicles, will offer the feature as a dealer-installed option as well. The Ford accessory, called TripTunes Advanced, will cost about $200 plus recommended dealer installation, a Ford spokesperson said. -ERIN ROBINSON, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS"

The Ford Edge/ Lincoln MKX share the platform with the CX-7, not the CX-9. However, they will share the same engine, Duratec35. As for transmission, it will probably use the same 6-speed auto that is in the CX-7. I do not see why they would use the Ford tranny.

The preliminary HP numbers I have heard from Mazda are around 250. We could see more, though.

Other forums are guessing at 270hp. The Ford Edge will be 265hp so I think the Mazda will beat that due to it's added weight. 250hp was just a preliminary number. They said it should atleast have more than 250hp. As for the tranny, it will probably be, IMHO, a package deal. I think it will be all Ford under the hood to save cost.

Whether it is a Mazda transmission or a Ford transmission, I don't know, but the Ford Fusion and Mazda6 share the same 6-speed auto with the current Duratec V6. I believe the 6-speed mated to the 2.3L 4-cyl is all Mazda though since the Fusion uses a 5-speed auto with it's 4-cyl offering.

It will be interesting to see if they modify their own 6-speed auto to fit the CX-9. I don't think it will be a very cost effective move because it will probably be the only vehicle that uses that engine for a couple of years.

Why is everyone so hot on having the most horsepower...thus meaning it is better then other cars in its class, these are not sports cars...I am all for horsepower, but at this point in this class of car I care more about fuel economy in this day and age... now if they offer class leading fuel economy then we are talking.

I would easily give up 5% horsepower just to get better fuel economy.

How about if it offered some cylinder management technology and increased mileage to 20/27, then it would kill everyone in the segment.

My local Mazda dealer says that, even though the engine is Ford-sourced, Mazda will tune it for higher performance. It's very possible that it will use premium, or at least mid-grade gas. His response was to my question: "Will the CX-9 use regular gas since it's using the Ford engine?"

BTW, we're not after horsepower. What we want in our next family hauler is 6-7 seats, xenon headlights, awd and an engine that uses regular gas. Right now, only the Pacifica meets those criteria.

The motor is supposed to be 7% more fuel efficient than it's predecessor despite it's increased hp and torque numbers. Ford lists the Edge getting highway mileage of 25-26mpg. I'm guessing the Mazda will be very similar. I'd love to see 20/27, but I don't think it's going to happen. Maybe we'll see 19/26 or 18/25. It's going to be very competitive in every way though (gas mileage, performance, and style).

Cylinder management technology really only works for highway driving, where the driver isn't in and out of the accelerator. Personally I'd love to see Ford's new hybrid transaxle in the CX-9, but I don't think that's going to happen either.

I'm pretty sure it will use regular. The only reason the CX-7 uses premium is because of the turbo. I believe it will be very, very close to what the Ford Edge is getting.

BTW, the Pacifica is getting a 4.0L V6 for next year with a 6-speed automatic and a very mild facelift. The should help performance and gas-mileage a bit, but the Mazda will have more interior room. I love the Pacifica and have taken a long trip in a rental Pacifica. I loved the vehicle, but was not impressed with the interior room for such a large vehicle. (Plus you'll be able to seat an extra person in the Mazda)

I drove Pacifica last year and I thought the interior for an American car (I know it has German roots) was nice..the exterior is ok. I thought the biggest issue is that it felt ponderous and slow witted. It made the Honda Pilot I test drove feel like a Miata. I hope they fix that but the Mazda CX-9 IMO is a lot nicer from the interior and exterior pics I have seen, and counting on some solid Mazda DNA agility/nimbleness seeping into the chassis.I am sure it will be regular gas this is targeted towards families...its true competition is the leaders in the class like the Honda Pilot & Toyota Highlander (even though they are more truck-like...but they both get replaced next year so expect even more crossover like entries and better in every way to their 5 year old designs).I need near top of the class in gas mileage with an AWD optional 3rd row seating vehicle for the family that offers some decent car-like handling and looks. My Acura TSX is just feeling a bit too small now, so need to add that family car.

Why does anyone need xenon headlights? Everyone got along fine without them for all of time...and now it's a requirement for some people? It's beyond absurd.

If anyone really needs xenons, take the time to learn how to retrofit other cars with it, and good a good quality vehicle. The idea that a Chrysler product is your lone choice due to its headlights is one of the worst things I've ever heard. The quality issues alone are daunting, and there are so many good imports either coming soon or in the near future (2008) that it boggles the mind why anyone that can tie their own shoelaces would consider Chrysler.

The Pilot shot is basically a mule for testing hot weather engine stuff, most people have been discussing it as a testing some sort of Ridgeline V8 as the front end has ridgeline-like nose...or possibly some pilot running gear. The mule itself is obviously the new Acura MDX....here is some more info at VTEC.net:http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=593523

By all accounts it will be released next year as a 2008, same thing with the highlander that badly needs an update, and I think it is doubtful it looks like that conecpt but I could be wrong.

I have no problem with Chrysler's longevity. My only complaints with Chrysler are with the 2.7L V6 sucks, the weight of their new vehicles, and MPG. I love my 2000 Dodge Intrepid ES, except I wish it got a few more MPG's. It's been a great car.

Everyone chooses a vehicle based on different reasons. Who are you to tell them their reasons are absurd or their vehicle choice is stupid? I've heard of very few quality problems with the Pacifica.

Besides, you're bashing domestics in a forum for a vehicle that will have a good deal of Ford DNA in it.

I see that it will be a 2008 model, but I think it will probably be a late release, just because no one has seen it yet. Anyway, based on looks alone (even if I'm comparing it to a MDX), I'll still take the CX-9.

Between myself and my family (a wide variety of people), I have had a tremendous amount of problems with Chryslers. Specifically, transmissions.

Agreed about the Ford DNA. That likely accounts for the quality issues that Mazda has compared to other foreign makes, though sadly, especially with Toyota lately, I think that the foreign makes' quality is coming down more than domestic quality going up.

My point is that there are countless reasons to choose a car, and xenon headlights should be about #533 on the list.

And as for getting a life, that's truly a useless post, though it took ya two tries to do it. Try to ask your father to post for you next time so it works on the first try.

As quantity goes up, quality goes down. The same thing has happened to Dell in the computer industry. That's why other brand's have been making a comeback.

I believe we understand your point, but your point is, for lack of a better word, pointless. If someone wants Xenon headlight to be a deciding factor in the car they choose, why would you put them down? Just because it's not your reason for buying a car doesn't mean it's invalid.

I think the middle row does, but I doubt the 3rd row does. The 3rd row should be a bit bigger for a vehicle that size, IMHO. I hope the CX-9's will be a bit roomier, not that it will get used all the time.